Flew into Austin early this morning after significant delays in Denver. Arrived at 1:10am and have to say the airport has a very welcoming feel. There are GP posters up everywhere welcoming the fans.
Weather is rainy at the moment with clear skies predicted tomorrow through race day. Can't wait!!!
www.chuckdavisrestorations.com
Go Crutchlow #35
Go Hayden #69
Go Stoner #27 "The Absolute Intercontinental Ballistic Missile of MotoGP!"
Go Sykes #66 2013 WSBK Champion. Go Green!
I've got more flavor than a packet of macaroni.
We had an absolute blast in that town for F1. Im guessing you guys will have even more fun because there is not such an insane amount of people flooding the town this go round.
If you go downtown, we had a better time on "west" 6th street. The 6th street that everyone parties on is a pretty young crowd.
Enjoy the races!
Thank you! We will check that out for sure. Motorcycle shirts are starting to pop up more frequently as I chill and people watch as I wait for my ride. The addicting adrenaline pumping aroma of racing is in the air.
www.chuckdavisrestorations.com
Go Crutchlow #35
Go Hayden #69
Go Stoner #27 "The Absolute Intercontinental Ballistic Missile of MotoGP!"
Go Sykes #66 2013 WSBK Champion. Go Green!
Wait till you come over the hill and can see the track. Its insane!Originally Posted by kawasakirob
Rob. PM me your cell. We fly in tonight and I'll hook up.
N_N
"Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be.". ~~ Ewan McGregor 2007
"It's hard to play the blues when nuthin's really wrong."~~ ---- Joe Walsh 2012
I.B.A. # 14748 124@X - YRMV
Much jealousy....
You hooligans have some fun down there.
Formerly MRA #211 - High Precision Racing
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self- preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property, and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."
--Thomas Jefferson
jealous as hell! If I had seen the whole dealeo sooner I'd be all over the trip! Sounds like the chance of a lifetime! Hopefully you guys get some good shots and some sweet autographed memerobelia!
2005 Suzuki SV650s Blue (SOLD), 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 636 Lime Green
Sick dude I'm jealous, going to be streaming the practices and what not through the main site. Should be a hell of a weekend!
www.mo-door.com
https://64degreeracing.com/
2003 VFR800
2007 GSX-R600
2007 R1
2003 R6 Race bike
2010 Ducati SF1098
2016 60th R1
2018 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100RR (Always say I'm done riding but the results state that I lied...)
are you cornerworking? See if you can get into the rider's tent area on thurs and fri. Friday was the best day for me to do that. Met the whole grid and got autographs and shit
#703
very jealous also, that should be totally worth the effort to get there
There were tons of race people on my plane in today
Hope everyone who goes has a total blast, and stays safe! Hope it's a great race, I'll be watching from here!
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"...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
-Theodore Roosevelt 1907
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Blu/Wht '01 Gixxer 1K, '91 KX500
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Tokin' SortaTalian
(Pronounced: Kind-A-Dago)
Downtown actually has quite a few smaller bar areas, West 6th is one as stated, Donn's Depot always has an interesting crowd.
Warehouse District - Between the acknowledged 6th Street area and West 6th, The Gingerman has a great selection of beers, there are many local brewers in Austin and have their products in many of the bars in town.
Red River District - Has places like Casino El Camino (great burgers) and Stubb's BBQ which are bars that have some good food.
Rainey Street - One of the newest areas that started popping up before I moved last year, it is a little south of the Red River District. Places like Lustre Pearl and Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden.
East Austin - This area was sketchy when I moved there in 2003 and has been redeveloped with lots of bars and restaurants. Juan In a Million has a great Mexican breakfast.
South Congress - The old strip that used to be what Colfax was/is like, when my wife moved to Austin in the late 80's this was the strip of cheap motels (some by the hour), street walkers and drug deals. Now it is a strip of restaurants, clubs and the first food trailer court in Austin (which may still open or may be closed for new development). Our favorite taco place (Torchy's Tacos) started as a trailer there. Another burger place there is Hopdoddy, Guero's is a popular place as well. The Continental Club is an Austin legend especially for Rockabilly style music.
South Lamar - Has places like the Gordough's gourmet doughnut trailer closer to the lake (really the Colorado River). Amy's Ice Creams/Phil's Ice House is a bit south of downtown (closer to where we lived) and next to it is a center with Kerbey Lane (great breakfast) and a Torchy's location. Further south Red's Porch. Taking South Congress to where it merges with Ben White (290/71) will take you by Barton Creek Greenbelt and Barton Springs Mall, a little past the mall is Rudy's BBQ (many other locations as well), I wish the one on Colorado Springs was as good as those in Austin but then the ones in San Antonio aren't as good as Austin, different management company.
Other places scattered around town are The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood (southwest of Austin), it is a little different than most Central Texas BBQ. The Oasis which has many decks sitting over Lake Travis (northwest of Austin) and is known for their sunsets. The Flying Saucer in The Triangle (North Lamar) has a good beer selection but The Draught House (just off North Lamar) has a great patio area.
That is just a few of the many places in the Austin area, hope y'all enjoy your time down there.
Last edited by bluedogok; Fri Apr 19th, 2013 at 10:11 PM.
The track is absolutely gorgeous. Stunning track. Have not met up with Nick Ninja and not sure we'll have the time. The front straight is wicked and could not imagine taking it flat out. Very good elevation change leading into turn 1.
I am the captain of my corner with 2 other Track workers and 2 medical personnel. Having a headset and calling the shots is more difficult than imagined, so communicating with the old guys is helpful. We are located towards the end of turn 20. The last corner before the straight. Yesterday we had two moto2 guys go down, today a mix of moto2 and moto3. No GP bikes yet.
I cannot describe how cool it is seeing Marquez slide out of a turn in person. He literally pivots that thing around...so it's good to see that and now understand what the riders are talking about.
Headed downtown tonight, another update tomorrow.
www.chuckdavisrestorations.com
Go Crutchlow #35
Go Hayden #69
Go Stoner #27 "The Absolute Intercontinental Ballistic Missile of MotoGP!"
Go Sykes #66 2013 WSBK Champion. Go Green!
So much jealousy...
I tried, but couldn't swing the time off work to get out there this year.
Do not put off living the life you dream of. Next year may never come. If we are always waiting for something to change...
Retirement, the kids to leave home, the weather or the economy, that's not living. That's waiting!
Waiting will only leaves us with unrealized dreams and empty wishes.
Good to see you Rob and great to meet your dad! We'll get together sometime soon when you aren't working!
The COTA track facility is AMAZING. It beats Miller and Laguna all to hell. The layout is all about the fan. You can access any portion of the track and watch the race. Grandstand access is available at all times except for race day. Not once were we told we couldn't be anywhere we went and the Texas hospitality was off the charts. If you GA it take a lawn chair and sunscreen. Track parking isn't too much of a hassle -- $30/day and there are $10/day lots right outside the gate. We WILL be going back next year. The experience gets two (2x)
"Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be.". ~~ Ewan McGregor 2007
"It's hard to play the blues when nuthin's really wrong."~~ ---- Joe Walsh 2012
I.B.A. # 14748 124@X - YRMV
Nice man, just seeing it on the screen was badass. Can't imagine seeing that dude do some serious trailbraking and putting that elbow all the way down to the floor like it's a breakdance move with no problem, that kid is something else!
www.mo-door.com
https://64degreeracing.com/
2003 VFR800
2007 GSX-R600
2007 R1
2003 R6 Race bike
2010 Ducati SF1098
2016 60th R1
2018 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100RR (Always say I'm done riding but the results state that I lied...
Did any of you attendees get any of that free autographed schwag or get to meet the riders or check out the bikes up close in the pits? I was curious if that ended up happening. Not that I am materialistic but I would sure as hell love to have an autographed helmet/boot/glove/bike part of some sort on my mantle so I would love to know as I plan to attend this next year for freakin sure!
2005 Suzuki SV650s Blue (SOLD), 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 636 Lime Green
So, question for attendees who've been to BOTH Austin and Laguna. Which one has the better race experience?
I'm talking the overall visit: races, bike atmosphere around town, local riding. I really liked Monterey not only because of the track, but all the riding in the canyons and the bike nights on Cannery Row. If I go, I don't want to just watch other people ride.
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
Current stable: 09 Thruxton \ 09 FZ6S2 Sold List: 97 Ninja500R, 03 SV650K3, 01 Ducati 750Sport, 73 CB350/4, 03 F650GSA, 08 Gixxer600, 03 Gixxer600, 91 VFR750F, 09 KLX250, 06 Thruxton 900, 02 VFR800, 08 Spyder RS, 12 Street TripleR, 09 KLX250S, 16 KTMRC390, 10 F650GS
my Facebook, SpeedShots
You could have schmoozed up and got anything you wanted. Riders had autograph sessions and there were pit access walks everyday.
"Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be.". ~~ Ewan McGregor 2007
"It's hard to play the blues when nuthin's really wrong."~~ ---- Joe Walsh 2012
I.B.A. # 14748 124@X - YRMV
- races = COTA
- bike atmosphere around town = Austin
- local riding = Laguna and CA in general (but it looked intriguing out west toward lake Travis)
For the 72 hours we were there COTA was way better than Laguna -- and WAY cheaper.
"Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be.". ~~ Ewan McGregor 2007
"It's hard to play the blues when nuthin's really wrong."~~ ---- Joe Walsh 2012
I.B.A. # 14748 124@X - YRMV
Ahhh Austin! I saw Stevie Ray Vaughn at a little bar on 6th street waaaay back in the day.
That is such a fun party town! Wish I could have went!
I rarely commuted on the bike when I lived in Austin, lived in South Austin and worked at The Domain in North Austin. So most of the time when I was riding I was heading west, some great riding areas out there. The close in "hooligan road" is between Lake Austin (the Colorado River) and Lake Travis. We looked at property every so often on the north shore of Travis (much cheaper) and they still haven't completely straightened out the road between Cedar Park and Marble Falls. There are some real nice roads south between Austin and San Antonio as well.
- races = COTA
- bike atmosphere around town = Austin
- local riding = Laguna and CA in general (but it looked intriguing out west toward lake Travis)
For the 72 hours we were there COTA was way better than Laguna -- and WAY cheaper.
West of Kerrville is the Three Sisters (335, 336 & 337) which is a good ride but a real long day trip from Austin. There is also the Lonestar Motorcycle Museum near Vanderpool right by the sisters, it has a pretty good grill in it. An old Australian flat track/speedway racer and his Texan wife owns it, he rebuilds bikes in the shop in the back.
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